Looks like I'll be painting the pantry for fall break

[Catshrink]

I went to the pantry get some pasta and found weevils. (It's a big problem here in Phoenix.)

I pulled everything out of the pantry so I could clean and put down new shelf paper. I started grumbling about having to take it all out again at Christmas break so I could paint and I realized that by pulling all the crap out, I'd done most of the work already.

So, it's off to HD to get some Kilz2 and paint. Grumble grumble grumble. It'll look great when it's done, one more thing to check off my home improvement list. So much for sleep.

[Lars39]

1. Use calk in all the cracks before you paint.

Cuts down on their hiding places. :hi:

[Catshrink]

2. Good idea...

I'm going to use two coats of Kilz because it's over dark paneling. I usually spackle/caulk after the first coat because I can't see squat on the paneling. The holes and cracks don't show up well until I've "Kilzed" it first.

But, I'm all pro. I need to do the ceiling first and can't find my roller. Another trip to HD. I hate that store but don't have much choice. I'd rather go to HD than Sprawlmart.

[TygrBright]

3. heheh... You know what they say...

..."The number of trips to the hardware store is generally in inverse proportion to the complexity of the job."

And ain't it the truth? Once I wanted to mend or replace the little spring latch on the back screen door and it took THREE trips to the hardware store.

OTOH, when I was installing the extensive shop lighting/grow lighting network in the basement, I was so paranoid about getting everything right that I went to the store with a two-page list, and only had to go back once.

paradoxically,
Bright

[NMDemDist2]

4. i used my local Ace Hardwares in PHX. small and owned by a

neighbor

and their guys usually were LOTS more help than I could get in a million visits to the Warehouses

we want pics!

[Lars39]

5. I've got some of that retched dark '70s panelling...

I think I'm going to put a bead of silicone where it meets the ceiling trim.
We built a house a few years back, and after we were thru I didn't step foot in a Home Depot for a very long time. :D

[yy4me]

6. I'm sure you know this but throw away all the unsealed foodstuffs

or the buggers will find their way back no matter what you do. To prevent this, I learned years ago to transfer all dry foods to screw top jars or cans. Somehow they can seem to get into things like the cardboard containers that corn meal comes in. Bought some large screw top jars at a local dollar store and save the ones I generate myself. I never had the trouble again. I think they come in from the grocery stores too. Piggy back on the bags of flour. What a pain in the neck.

[Catshrink]

7. Good idea about the jars.

I had some rice in one of those latched top jars and the critters were in there also. How did they get in there????

[yy4me]

8. I find the latch top jars are not really tight. I've solved that by

placing a plastic sandwich bag (the cheapies w/ fold over top, not the "zipper") between the top and the lid so that when I close the jar, it remains pretty air tight. This came about years ago when I tried to save saltines and after a day or 2 they were stale. My better half suggested that the seal was not tight enough and air was getting in. May be a route for other things to get in too. Never thought about that but it is a possibility. Anyway, this method makes the rubber seal just that much more tight. Good luck.

[unhappycamper]

9. You should also check the expiration dates on everything

When I pulled my pantry apart this spring, I found a lot of stuff that either had expired or had no exiration dates. No expiration date on processed food = trash.